searching for experienced Martial Artist

I need someone who can help train me. Unfortunately, it would be starting from scratch.
I'm not only looking solely for defensive techniques, I need to know way more than that.

I would be a very devoted student, I'm weak right now, but I must become much much stronger, for reasons that do not need to be mentioned at this point.
The first thing I need to do is discover what style of fighting is best for my body type and potential, what my strengths and weaknesses are and how to use both to my advantage. I do not have much money.. so I must find someone willing to assist me without being paid a ton of money, however, I know that whatever training I do will not go to waste.
This is very important to me, I must learn. If nobody here can help me, references will be fine or if you know people who can help me and where to find them.

I live in Michigan in Oakland County. I need someone not too far away because my means of travel are limited. Also, I'm a woman.. for the record.

Ok. I think that group training is a good goal to try to work towards, but if you're intent on 1-on-1 training at the moment, I would recommend calling a few local schools to ask about private lessons from an instructor. The problem with private lessons is that it can be expensive.

If you're uncomfortable working with a variety of people in class, it's also possible that there is an understanding instructor in the area who would let you only participate in the portions of class (or with the people) you were comfortable with.

I assume you're looking for self-defense, is this correct? I would recommend a judo or BJJ school, but a form of striking (like karate, muay thai, kickboxing) could work as well.

What a disgrace it is for a man to grow old without ever seeing the beauty and strength of which his body is capable. -Xenophon's Socrates